(Newser)
–
A Utah family has become the victim of extreme stalking involving unwanted service providers repeatedly being sent to their home, according to the homeowner and police. Walt Gilmore's family in suburban Salt Lake City has been the target since August of a stalker using phone calls and texts to send a parade of people to the home for legitimate services as well as illegal activities, the Deseret News reported Friday. The AP reports that up to 20 people per day arrive saying they were called to provide electrical, plumbing, tree-trimming, and towing services, according to Gilmore, who says others sent to his house are seeking illegitimate business: "They have police records. Criminals. Felons. Active warrants for their arrests coming to my home. They're looking for drugs. They're offering prostitution," Gilmore said.

The calls range from pizzas being sent to Gilmore's office to an environmental cleanup company coming one Saturday morning on a fake call that Gilmore's house was flooding. Police estimate the combined loss to companies is more than $20,000 in wages and uncollected fees. Officers have been called to the home at least 80 times since February. The person responsible may be using a computer program to make calls, and texts appear to originate from another number, making them nearly impossible to trace, according to police, who say they are using voice recognition software to find the suspect. Gilmore said they have taken out a civil stalking injunction against the person they believe is responsible. Court records indicate the person named in the injunction lives in Hawaii. Much more on the strange case, including the steps police are taking, here. (Or read about a house that has its own creepy "Watcher.")